What About Us?

Chapter 12: They're Poor Marinette

~Adrien~
"I told you she wasn't like the Prince." I say as we watch her walk out. "Because she respected our wishes? The shouldn't make her worthy of my respect."

"I beg to differ father. We both know a lot of the royals wouldn't have done what she just did." "Well I still forbid you to see her." "Yes sir." I say as he walks into the back.

I rush out the door and drag Marinette into an alley. "Adrien? What are you doing?" She asks. " I was wondering if I can see you again later?" "We'll see Agreste." She teases.

"Why must you tease me Mari?" I ask dramatically and she giggles. "Because it wouldn't be fun if I didn't." I roll my eyes and she places a quick kiss on my lips. "But as of now I must go. We wouldn't want people to think I'm a floozy now would we?"

"Back to your Princess talk I see?" I ask and she rolls her eyes. "I was just having fun with it." "Well I hope you enjoy your day with your fiancé." I tease. "That's probably the rudest thing you've ever said to me. And don't call him my fiancé!" She says as she hits my arm.

"Ow! I'm sorry." "You better be, but now I really have to go." I nod and press one more quick kiss to her lips before she walks away.

~Marinette~
"Where did you head off to?" "I just needed a breather." "Well people noticed us and soon they'll ask for pictures which is dreadful, so shall we head back to the castle?" "You don't like taking pictures?"

"Not with the poor. Let's go now." "Luka that's incredibly rude. Just because they don't have as much money as us doesn't mean they should get treated differently."

"You actually like the poor people?" "Don't refer to them that way! There's no reason be so hostile towards them." "Yes there is. They're poor." "I admire them. They work very hard for their earnings while it's just handed to us."

"Exactly Marinette. We just get what we want. You know why? Because we're royalty and we have the right to."

"Don't you see Luka? We're spoiled. We've been raised to believe that we're better than everyone else simply because we have royal blood. But that doesn't mean we are better than everyone else. Since they actually put work into everything they have I believe that they are far better than we will ever be."

"Do you hear how ridiculous you sound?" "Luka-" "Come on let's leave. The peasants are already walking towards us." Luka grabs my wrist and starts to pull me towards the car. "Do not refer to them that way Luka! They have feelings." I say as I pull my wrist out of his hand.

"Marinette you are making a scene." "Just go without me." "Marinette your parents would kill you." "Well it would be better for me because then I wouldn't have to marry you." "Get in the car Marinette." "I'm not leaving yet. Like I said just go." "Marinette!"

"Is everything alright Princess?" A passerby asks. "Everything's fine." "I was asking the Princess." If you don't behave properly then I will not only have you punished but him as well. My mother's words echo inside my head. If I don't behave right then she'll punish Adrien.

"I'm very sorry. Everything is quite alright just a slight disagreement." "Oh okay. Well can I have a picture with you?" "Of course."

After the picture he walks off leaving me alone with Luka once again. "You see what you did? People are already assuming something's wrong." "Something is wrong. I'm betrothed to you." I say and he rolls his eyes. "We should go before it gets any worse." I sigh and walk to the car.

                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The Prince told us about your outburst at the bakery." My mom says over dinner. "Mother I can explain." "Tomorrow you and your mother will go there, so you can formally apologize to them. We do not want our people thinking that this is how we behave." My dad says.

"But we're not welcome there and I already apologized. Besides Luka was the one who misbehaved. He started the scene and I-" "I will hear no such thing! Judging from your behavior lately, your apology was probably improper. And Prince Luka would never act out. He is sweet, well behaved, and courteous." My dad says.

"So you don't believe me? You're just going to listen to what Luka said?" "Well from the way you have been acting I see no reason why we should believe you." "We did not raise you to be this disobedient."

"Mother-" "That is all. You may go to your room now." "But I'm not done eating yet." "We said go to your room. Now!" "Yes father." I get up from the table and walk to my room.

I immediately throw myself on my bed. "Marinette? Are you okay?" Tikki asks as she sits beside me. "I'm fine." "I know that's not true. I heard your parents yelling at you." "It's so annoying. I'm so tired of it all Tikki. I'm not even ready to be married and even if I was it wouldn't be to Luka. I don't even want to be the Queen, but I don't have a choice."

"Have you talked to your parents about it?" "They wouldn't understand. They think being royalty is everything, but it's not. I just want to be a normal person." "Maybe you should try. This country won't do very well if we don't have a ruler who wants to rule."

"I know that, but there's no way I can talk my parents out of it. I'll do my best to do a good job." "I know you'll do an amazing job." "I hope so. Thanks Tikki." I say and pull her into a hug.

"What do you think you're doing?" "Mother-" "We don't touch the help!" "She's my lady in waiting." "I don't care what she's lady of. You are not to socialize with anyone less than us." "Just because she's not royal doesn't mean she's less than us."

"That's exactly what it means. Go wash the dishes! They're starting to pile up!" "Yes, Your Majesty." Tikki says and walks out. "Mother that was incredibly disrespectful!" "Marinette-"

"No! Yelling at me is acceptable, but I will not sit around and allow you to yell at our workers! They do a lot for us and they deserve our respect!" "They're poor Marinette." Seriously what is it with that excuse today? "So? They still have feelings!"

"I am your mother! I demand you to start treating me with respect!" "Respect is earned not given. I'll respect you once you respect everyone else regardless of their money or power." "Marinette-"

"That is all for this conversation. You may leave my room now." "We're leaving tomorrow at noon!" She says before she walks out in a huff.